Monday Musings - March 31, 2014

Signs of Springtime

1. Happy Birthday Patrick!

Grills outside of Lowe's in the Rain

2. The snow blowers have been replaced by grills and tractors outside of Lowe's.

3. Trees along the street are budding.

4. Crocus and daffodils are blooming.

5. Cindy's Ice Cream officially opened in Elkridge, but they were closed because of the rainy weather both times I went to welcome them back from winter's grasp, or was it a Florida vacation.

6. Allergies are beginning. I am hoping for a better year this year.

7. Earthworms are on the move in the puddles and probably my pool.

8. The temperature has not been below 32 degrees for three days.

9. There is no snow in sight or in the forecast for my city.

10. MLB Orioles Home Opening Day has arrived!



-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

April Showers

Earthworm in a Puddle

I know that April has not yet arrived, but certainly that is the only explanation for the almost 2 inches of rain we have received during the past two days.

Using the standard conversion factor of 10 inches of snow to 1 inch of rain, I am thankful that we have not received 20 inches of snow. And the rain seems warm. I remember that at one point yesterday I closed my eyes and lifted my face up so that the rain could fall on my face and I could savor its relative warmth as a harbinger of Springtime.

I got wet! And I loved it.

Rain brings its own problems such as flooding and mud--but it also will encourage my lawn to grow and complete the transition from brown to green!

I saw another sure sign of Spring this morning, an earthworm trapped in a puddle of water. I actually took a moment to rescue the earthworm from certain death by drowning and toss it into the yard out of the puddle.

Finally, it truly is Spring when Cindy's, the ice cream shop, opens in Elkridge. It had a flag outside yesterday announcing that it was open despite the rain and cold!

These are all encouraging signs of the seasonal changes that are afoot.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Defiant Daffodils

While walking Makayla in the drizzling rain this morning, I spotted a small sight which brought warmth and happiness to fill my overcast disposition.

Daffodils are preparing to bloom in my neighbors yard along the driveway--even after the frigid temperatures and the snow of last week--there they were defiantly preparing to usher in the season which has so far been delayed.

Even the rain seemed warmer after I spotted the springtime flowers. Perhaps the snowy days are really behind and warmer days are ahead. I am now anxiously anticipating the annual transition of scenery from brown to green and the eruption of blooming plants to add color and diversity and end the season of drab and darkness.

I m almost afraid to write this, but feel compelled to announce, nine days after the official calendar designated date, "Spring has Sprung" and is coming to an yard near you, soon! 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD 

More Light, More Work

One of the by products of additional daylight in the evening--a combination of daylight savings time and the days growing progressively longer until the summer solstice, is that life's work is never done and there also seems to be more of it.

I noticed it yesterday when I hit the streets after a grueling day at work. The evening never ended. There was an oil change for a vehicle, a stop at the grocery store, and a trip to the UPS center to retrieve a package which was just the beginning. The cover on Kitty got blown off by the wind, Cat needed a new registration sticker affixed, there were bills to write out, dinner to prepare--and it was still daylight out.  

As the light began to fade, so was my energy for the day which began at 5:30 AM on the racquetball court.

Long days. More work. Hmmmm! There may be a correlation here. I even thought about getting the tractor out--but the yard was still wet, too wet. 

At least the sunset is later and later every day.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Visit Conundrum

Encouraging people to visit, but not wanting to visit when people are there is a situation that baffles me. 

People complain that they want others to go out of their way to drop by to visit, but then remain distracted by electronics or other activities which could be delayed during most of the visit.

When others make the effort to visit, they do not want to watch someone reading a book or sitting in a chair in the corner of the room playing a video game. When people arrive to visit, at the request or demand of the ones being visited, conversation and attention should ensue. 

The attitude of people who complain no one visits them, but then refuse to make themselves available when visitors arrive needs to change. Visitation, like conversation requires at least two people.

Just saying.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Last Snow of the Season

Last year on March 26th I wrote about the last snow of the season which had arrived on March 25th. 

This year, it is March 26th and I am again writing about what I hope is the last snow of the season--again.

Last year we at least had flowers peaking through the snow. 

This year we have just cold and snow.

But, hopefully it is the last snow. 

The final one.

And it was a light snow here--mostly a dusting even though it snowed all day there was no accumulation.

I find it coincidental that the last snow of 2013 and hopefully the last snow of 2014 occurred on the same date.

As long as it gets warmer, soon. I'm looking for the Spring flowers to start blooming. The T-Ball team that I help coach is supposed to have its first practice on Saturday. The forecast? Rain.

Orioles Opening Day is just 5 days away and the forecast is for 60 degrees and sun!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

After the Spring Training Trip

Championship Chandelier in Sarasota

By now everyone knows that I spent the weekend in south Florida watching baseball, drinking beer, and eating burgers.  I cannot say enough good things doubt my Spring Training experience.

What is the most memorable aspect of my trip? Access to the players. Saturday I stood by the bullpen in Port Charlotte talking to the relievers, including Troy Patton, during the game. They are living the dream and sometimes I don't even think they know how much guys like me would trade places with them in an instant. 

The Bird welcomes us to Sarasota

The Orioles looked good. I saw four games and they won two and tied two. The ties were against the other squads "A" teams--which bodes well for the season.

My 2014 Orioles season prediction: 96 wins, the division crown and World Series appearance. And the pitching staff will have at least one 20 game winner!

There, you have it.

My assessment of the Orioles after my Spring Training weekend. At this point they appear to be a complete team with depth at pitching and hitting with a strong defense. I cannot believe how blessed I was to be able to get to Florida and see my favorite baseball team play baseball, up close and personal. 

The sun was so warm, I had almost forgotten how good it felt. I got to see my favorite team, up close and personal. Wow! 

Mile Post at Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota, Florida

And then I came back to subfreezing cold wearing shorts and flu flops. I must have been a sight at the airport. What is wrong with this picture? 

Thankfully, it looks as if I won't have to endure shoveling snow with a sunburn today--but it was close. 

Opening Day is just 6 Days away!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - March 24, 2014

1. Sitting in the breakfast area of the hotel yesterday morning I heard a couple complaining about everything and everyone in the area. I felt sad for them. They just had a very crusty view of life.

2. OK--I got sunburned in Florida. I had to come back looking like I actually spent four days in the sun. In olden times I would have called it a good base for my expected summertime tan, now I feel a bit silly letting myself get burned.

3. Weddings are exciting times and bring families together. They can be a bit chaotic to outsiders. They also are very noisy at hotels.

4. It was a huge shock to leave Tampa's 80 degree temperatures and arrive back in Baltimore's 36 degrees dressed in my shorts and flip flops sporting a sunburn.

5. There was something really great about looking up at the stars in the sky from Sarasota and being warm knowing they were the same stars over Baltimore.

6. I arrived at the Tampa airport yesterday just in time to see the end of the Kentucky-Whiticha State basketball game. Many people were transfixed on the game and as soon as the upset was secured they scurried off to their waiting airplanes.

7. Sadly, the Soviet reunion appears to be continuing despite the best threatening the West can muster.

8. How lucky am I? I just completed a weekend of burgers, beer, and baseball. Four baseball games--the Orioles were undefeated (2-0-2, yes, they allow ties in Spring Training) and the weather was, in a word, idyllic!

9. I am still amazed that I can wake up in Florida, see a baseball game, board an airplane, arrive home and be ready to play racquetball the next morning and then go to work. 

10. Opening Day for the Orioles is 7 Days away. The temperature here this morning is 24 degrees. I may have to wear a parka and mukluks to the game if something doesn't change.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Beer, Burgers, and Baseball Part 2

Port Charlotte Sports Complex

Day three of the trip was was as spectacular as the first two. I sojourned to Port Charlotte for a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at their Spring Training facility.

Although the outcome was a lukewarm tie, 3-3, it was Tampa's A squad against the Orioles B squad. The Orioles looked good and it was another idyllic day in the sunshine with warm temperatures.

Ubaldo Jiminez

I stood near the Orioles bullpen in the outfield for the entire game and really got a sense of the pitching staff. They are going to be great. I had a lot of fun watching them and talking to them and even got a baseball tossed up to me before the end of the game from one of the pitchers. I watched the starting pitcher Ubaldo Jiminez (31) get ready for his six innings of work as well as the four relievers who followed him for an inning each: Brach, Stinson, Meeks, and Aceves. We traded quips with Troy Patton about his suspension and he made it clear that it will be "game on" when he finally joins the team after his 25 game suspension.

The Orioles are going to be awesome this season. The Orioles B team tied the Rays A Team 3-3 yesterday.

Yay.

The best thing about Spring training is that it is all about baseball and the team allegiances are secondary. I have seen fans from almost every MLB Team is represented  in the parks and it is all good. Everyone is relaxed and on their best behavior. I have also enjoyed the access to the teams and the players. 

Today is Day 4 of the trip and, sadly, it will be time to call it a Spring Training and head home at the end of the day. The memories will be more than enough to get me through the 8 days until Opening Day!

-- Bob Doan, writing from Sarasota, Florida

Out the Hotel Window - Sarasota, Florida

Sarasota Hotel Window View

Looking out the window from the hotel room I see green. And that is awesome. 

I can also see my favorite "not really a tree" palm trees which just scream sun, warmth, and fun to me.

There is a palm at the edge of the image that I decided to take a shot of from the front of the hotel, just because.

I went for a nice walk yesterday down the street in the image. It was flat and compelling. I walked along a wetlands area full of wildlife which made the walk very enjoyable. I wanted to stop and take pictures of the birds and wildlife, but was conflicted because I was trying to walk a consistent 15 minute mile. I came up a bit short only walking 15:20 miles, but I did more than two miles of great walking through the green, teeming wetlands. 

Palm Trees Outside my Hotel Window

It is March, the temperatures are going to be in the 80 degree range today. There is another baseball game on tap--we are headed to Port Charlotte to see the Orioles and the Rays play a Spring training game ever mindful that Opening Day in only 9 days away--or if I happened to be in Australia it might be today as the MLB 2014 Season officially starts today with the Dodgers and Diamondbacks playing two games "down under."

Outside my hotel window, here in Sarasota, there is so much life and so many things to do--I am already itching to hit the pavement and get going on the day.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Sarasota, Florida